The Tin can Island Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has intercepted a 40-foot container with 980 rounds of 9mm type live ammunition and a taurius pistol imported into the country from the United States of America (USA).
Disclosing this to newsmen yesterday, Area Controller of the Command, Comptroller Bashar Yusuf said the ammunitions including a camouflage military face cap camouflage belt, a pair of hand gloves and a pair of shoes were concealed along with other personal effects in two vehicles.
He said the arms and ammunitions and a suspect who was arrested in connection with the seizure and have been handed over to the Department of State Security Service (DSS) for further investigation.
“A 40-foot container with number CLHU452754/2 with these items have been seized and it is with us and we are transferring them as appropriate to the relevant agency. The items were concealed because nobody can just import these things without full authorization to do that.
“No unauthorized passenger or trader should trade in arms and ammunition all over the world. It is not allowed. You have to go through due process; authorization with permit before you move even one piece across the border of another country.
“The suspect is with the Directorate of State Security Service for further investigation so that we will get to the full details of how he came about these items as well as if there are collaborators within Nigeria or outside Nigeria. It is within their purview to do that,” he said.
Officer in charge of DSS at Tin Can Island Port, James Udo while noting the danger such importation could have on members of the public, if it had escaped Customs’ atention, stated that security must be a collective responsibility.
He said DSS would conduct further investigation on the importation to unravel those behind it.
Meanwhile, the command said it generated N24.8billion as revenue in January 2016 as against N20.9billion collected in the corresponding period of last year.
The customs boss attributed the increase to improved transparency, compliance from clearing agents as well as a robust electronic system.
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